Lazer Tag Life

8

"Alexander. There are a lot of things that I would love to do when we walk into work in about 20 minutes. But blasting Anarchy In The UK is not one of them."

I had managed to gather everyone into my car before work started. It was 6:40am. And pouring outside. Everyone was wearing nothing but overalls, blue bandanas, Silly Bandz that were covering all of our wrists, and patterned onesies under the overalls. I honestly couldn't believe this is what my life was coming to. 

"Why not? I know all the words! I AM AN ANTICHRIST-"

"Shut your mouth!" I hissed, nearly climbing into the backseat to punch him in the face. "It's still 6 in the morning! Normal people are sleeping!"

Nick and Bob were minding their own business, playing Go Fish in the trunk. Everything seemed calm back there until I heard "Dang, lost again!" and an entire deck of cards being thrown at Nick.

I slapped my forehead. "Guys, please-"

A huge thump cut me off, followed by a high-pitched scream. "I am done playing with your whiny, sore-loser ass!" Nick yelped.

Everyone fell silent. Nick never cursed. Ever. This was probably one of the most important events in this adventure thus far. If this whole thing was a book, this would be the climax. It marked an important fact in everyone's mind. We were at war. We are full of pride, passion, and most obviously, rage.

Nick never cursed. Even the nicest person of the group was willing to be this angry. 

I raised my head, opening the car door. "Let's do this. We are anarchists."

Alex grinned. "Who's Sex Pistols trash now?"

"Anarchy In Extreme Sports World," Bob laughed. Nick impersonated the cackle at the beginning of the song. 

"Now were in the mood!" I proclaimed, throwing my fist in the air. I bolted to the doors, everyone following behind me. When I threw them open, we were greeted by Mike, acting oh-so innocent sitting at the front desk, the sheet still resting on top of our couch. Alex flicked one of the many Silly Bandz on his wrist, and got his attention.

"What...are...you guys..."

"Don't say anything," I hushed him. "Just listen to us."

Bob dashed in front of me, his blue bandana tied around his forehead flowing in the wind. "We're sick and tired of you trying to change everything about this place!" He looked pretty confident, but as soon as he saw the expression on Mike's face change from a neutral smile to an angry scowl, he skipped right back behind me. 

"That's ridiculous. I haven't tried to change anything." Mike's speech sounded calm, but he seemed the complete opposite when you looked at his face.

Alex scoffed, then walked right up to him. "Come on, the music, the drinks, the freaking couch!" he hissed, gesturing at the piece of furniture, which was still covered with the sheet. "All of these things contribute to the charm of this place! Don't act like you aren't trying to change nothing!"

Mike was silent, his poker face slowly beginning to chip away. "I...You're right."

Right at that moment, the front doors swung open, Rocky storming in and Paige frantically pacing behind her. 

"What's happening here?" Rocky demanded, looking at me for answers. "Why are you all in those hideous overalls!" Suddenly, she gasped, realizing our intentions all along. "This is all to harass Mike into changing everything back, isn't it?"

I sighed, walking over to her. "Yeah," I shrugged. 

Her anger faded away, and her understanding side was finally showing again. "I wish I can keep everything the way it is, but this really isn't my place anymore. It's Mike's."

"But still, shouldn't he be listening to his employees?" I nearly yelled.

Paige shrugged. "Well, bosses do what bosses want."

I heard Alex scoff behind me. "This isn't ancient times! Work shouldn't be a dictatorship, it should be made up of mutual respect between employees and bosses."

Everyone fell silent. 

Rocky was the one that was shocked the most. "That's...That's actually the smartest thing I've ever heard you say, Alex." 

"That's it!" Mike got up from the desk, slamming his fists on the table. "This is my business now! You don't have to be my friend or anything, you don't even have to like me! I am your boss, and this is how I want my business being ran!"

"If this is how you want to run things," I started, looking straight into his deep, haunting blue eyes. "...then you can find yourself another group of employees, 'cause we quit."

Nick lit up, ripping his name tag off his shirt and throwing it on the ground. The three of us followed him, walking straight out of the place that we've all called our second home for half a year.